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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) – Texas businesses could soon be forced to allow their employees to bring their guns to work.

The bill, which is one step closer to becoming law, would allow individuals that have the proper license to keep guns in their locked cars. The new law would only extend as far as the parking lot.

The handgun bill got overwhelming approval in the House Thursday night, with 130 votes for he bill and only 11 against it.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, said many companies don’t understand the sporting culture in Texas.

Critics questioned why the state should be allowed to tell companies whether to allow guns on their property. “There is no reason, unless you’re police enforcement, to have a weapon at work,” a Dallas resident told KRLD NewsRadio 1080 when learning of the House passage.

Right now, Texas law allows for businesses to ban employees from bringing their guns onto company property.

While the bill would make it legal to have guns on business property, it also would make employers immune from liability involving the firearms.